Advances Lithium-Ion Battery Innovations for Electric Counterbalance Machinery Lineup by Kalmar
Kalmar, a global leader in the material handling industry, has announced the launch of its second-generation lithium-ion battery technology for electric counterbalanced equipment. This groundbreaking innovation is designed to cater to reachstackers, empty container handlers, and forklifts, among other applications.
Based in Helsinki, Finland, Kalmar operates in over 120 countries and employs approximately 5,200 people. The company offers a wide range of industry-shaping heavy material handling equipment and services to ports and terminals, distribution centres, manufacturing, and heavy logistics.
The new Gen 2 battery solution offers several key advantages. It substantially improves the battery capacity, allowing Kalmar electric reachstackers to operate up to 10 hours in a heavy-duty application. This extended operating time supports longer shifts and greater uptime in demanding terminal environments.
One of the notable features of the Gen 2 battery is its enhanced energy capacity. The new battery system delivers significantly greater energy capacity than the previous generation, ensuring consistent and reliable performance over the long term. This improvement contributes to reduced battery replacement costs and eases shift planning, thereby lowering the total cost of ownership.
The Gen 2 battery also boasts improved thermal stability, making it safer and more reliable in a wide range of operating environments, including hot climates. This reduces risks associated with overheating and enhances operational safety. The advanced cell chemistry of the battery extends its life cycle, providing consistent and reliable performance over the long term.
Kalmar's Vice President of the Counter Balanced Product Line, Peter Berndtson, stated that the second-generation battery is a significant advancement in enabling customers to transition to fully electric fleets without sacrificing performance. He further added that the new battery is designed to offer enhanced safety, longer lifespan, and improved operating times, providing customers with a high level of predictability and peace of mind.
The Gen 2 battery technology aligns with global decarbonization goals in logistics and port operations by enabling fully electric fleets that offer safer, more efficient, and more sustainable cargo-handling solutions. The technology is currently available globally with European standards compliance, with versions for the US and Chinese standards expected in 2026.
In 2024, Kalmar's sales totalled approximately EUR 1.7 billion. With this latest innovation, the company reaffirms its commitment to leading the way in developing advanced, eco-efficient solutions for the material handling industry.
The Gen 2 battery technology, launched by Kalmar, is a crucial advancement in the renewable-energy sector, catering to various applications within the material handling industry. This technology, with its enhanced energy capacity, is designed to reduce battery replacement costs and ease shift planning, contributing to a lower total cost of ownership.
Moreover, the Gen 2 battery technology aligns with global decarbonization goals, offering safer, more efficient, and more sustainable cargo-handling solutions. As a testament to their commitment towards eco-efficient solutions, Kalmar continues to innovate in the finance and technology sectors, with data-and-cloud-computing playing a significant role in optimizing their products' performance and reliability.
As Kalmar expands its renewable-energy offerings, it aims to support the transition of its customers to fully electric fleets, ensuring uncompromised performance and a reduced environmental footprint in the material handling industry.
